BMC Mayor Election on Wednesday

Mumbai: The newly elected corporators of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would elect mayor of the city on Wednesday.

Shiv Sena's Vishwanath Mahadeshwar is the strongest contender for the post after BJP withdrew from the mayoral race. The BMC has 227 corporators.

However, Mahadeshwar is facing legal trouble after a case has been filed in the court challenging his election.

Local leader of the congress Dharmesh Vyas, who filed a petition, said, "As a principal of a government-aided school, he had suppressed the information that he was drawing a salary from government grants which makes him ineligible even to become a corporator."

The matter would be heard on April 6.

Another independent candidate from the same ward, Mahendra Pawar too has filed a case alleging that a mayoral candidate has purchased his current flat by "flouting the rules".

The hearing in the matter will take place on March 23.

Calls and message sent to Mahadeshwar did not elicit any response. However, his close associate said that the petitioners are the ones who have lost elections and are levelling such "baseless" allegations after being "politically motivated".

Meanwhile, the civic administration has completed all its formalities to hold the election.

Municipal Secretary Narayan Pathade said, "We are fully prepared to hold the mayoral election. The incumbent Mayor would preside the proceedings in which the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be elected."